A man and his guitar

That's what Mike Reeb sings on the first track of his latest release, "All That's Left," but if the singer-songwriter keeps drawing positive reviews and kind comparisons to musical legends, he may be singing a different tune in the not-too-distant future.

Names such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen are often thrown out too loosely when used to describe up-and-coming artists. In Reeb's case, however, the connections may be warranted.

Reeb's folksy, troubadour-like style and the dark social undertones in his work have led many critics to reference the seminal Springsteen album "Nebraska" when reviewing his music.

The music sounds as if it were recorded in a bygone area too. Reeb records in analog, a throwback to the pre-digital revolution age.

The Lansing, Ill.-native got his start playing in the folk rock band Seventy Two Others, but he struck out on his own in 2004. He moved to Lafayette, Ind., where he lived for two years. The college town served as his home base, and from there he would strike out by train, playing gigs across the Midwest.

Now back in Chicago, Reeb has played multiple shows either alone with his guitar or backed by musicians he befriended in Lansing.

"I'm comfortable playing alone or with other musicians," Reeb said. "The songs can work either way, but I have to be able to go up there and pull it off with just a guitar and my vocals."

Listen to Mike Reeb's "It's Been a Real Hard Year" from "All That's Left" at redeyechicago.com/chitunes.